Boutique hotels in Sète 21 Boutique hotels

Guide to Sète

A significant French port since the time of Louis XIV, Sète has a rich maritime history. Amble around colourful La Pointe Courte, the fishermen’s quarter, for a sense of the city’s roots before sampling superb fresh mussels and oysters from Étang du Thau at Les Halles De Sète Market.

Cruise along Sète’s canals by boat to marvel at brightly-painted houses, pausing for a coffee at the many waterfront cafés and bars. Little ones will love spotting fishing boats bobbing in the water or admiring the yachts at the annual Escale à Sète Festival.

Delve into the city’s past at the Musée Paul Valéry, and catch art exhibitions at the Hervé Di Rosafounded MIAM, the CRAC and the Espace Georges Brassens. Come summer, Sète hosts a series of terrific live music events at the open-air Théâtre de la Mer.

Sète’s 12 kilometres of golden sandy beaches are another major draw. Corniche and Lazaret are the closest to the heart of the city, and great for families. Head to Villeroy for lively beachfront bars and eateries, or hone your kitesurfing skills in front of windswept Fontain and Lido. Oyster and mussel-focused tours of the Étang du Thau come highly recommended.

Finally, clamber atop Mont St-Clair for panoramic views over the city’s terracotta-tiled rooftops. With the sparkling Étang du Thau in one direction and the Mediterranean Sea in the other, this is a marvellous sunset spot.

Where to Stay in Sète

If you’re eager to explore Sète on foot, choose a hotel in the centre of town. With a plethora of cafés, eateries, museums and boutiques on your doorstep, there’ll be no shortage of things to discover. Zipping along the canals by boat is particularly good fun with kids, as are sandy beach days. 

Just across the Étang du Thau from Sète, Mèze is another charming town with some lovely boutique hotels.

Travellers seeking tranquility should look further inland, to the villages and hamlets which line the Hérault River. This part of the Languedoc is wonderfully picturesque, and Sète’s attractions remain within easy reach. Walking, riding and kayaking opportunities abound.

For a lively evening scene, designer shopping and museums, consider basing yourself in Montpellier. Home to the nearest international airport, the city is a brilliant springboard for discovering this stretch of southern France. Montpellier is just 20 minutes by rail or 40 minutes by road from Sète.

Boutique Hotels in Sète

There’s an excellent selection of boutique hotels in and around Sète. Properties within the old port town tend to be intimate and characterful restored residences with individually decorated rooms. Expect delicious breakfasts including seasonal fruit, jams and bread from local producers. Friendly local owners and managers can recommend top-notch eateries and activities, including boat trips, in the area.

There are terrific hotels in Montpellier, just 20 minutes by train from Sète. These include lavish mansions and cool, contemporary pads, all within easy reach of the city’s museums, galleries and restaurants.

The Hérault countryside is studded with charming boutique boltholes. Think cosy farmhouses, well-equipped gîtes in leafy gardens, and pretty manor houses. Boasting larger grounds, these rural escapes are more likely to have swimming pools, pétanque pitches and walking trails than their counterparts in town.

What are the best boutique hotels in Sète?

• In the heart of Sète’s old town, indulgent Suites The Marcel offers six design-led suites, perfect for romantics and creatives. 
• Nearby Hôtel L’Orque Bleue has a more modern feel, and great family rooms.
• Culture buffs might prefer to stay in bustling Montpellier. The city’s best boutique hotels include the timeless five-star Hôtel Richer de Belleval, sleek Domaine de Verchant & Spa with its gastronomic restaurant, and intimate ivy-clad Mas de Lafeuillade. 
• Keen beachgoers, on the other hand, will adore the luxurious Hôtel Plage Palace & Spa, facing the Mediterranean.
• For a quiet rural escape, we’d recommend Villa Symposia, Les Chambres du Prieuré or Le Moulin de Pézenas, on the banks of the Hérault River. 
• The magnificent Château Rieutort, also overlooking the Hérault, is a real gem; the onsite gîtes are ideal for families and groups of friends. Charming Domaine Tarbouriech will delight groups as well as foodies.